About the author

Bernadette is a journalist with years of experience covering topics in macroeconomics, real estate, and lifestyle beats for notable print media organisations. She joined the InfoChoice Group in 2024, bringing her passion for writing stories that help Australians make better decisions about money.


Bernadette's latest articles

Bernadette Lunas

Another month, more home price growth: Values hit new record of $772k

Despite rate hikes and cost-of-living pressures, Australia’s property market maintained its steady climb with a 1.6% rise in prices in the first quarte...

02 Apr 2024
Bernadette Lunas

Term deposit rates yo-yo in shadow of RBA’s neutral stance; new market leaders emerge

Despite the broadly expected RBA rate cuts in the mid-year, two banks have chosen to increase their offered rates o...

28 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

Australia’s inflation rate unswayed by the ‘Taylor Swift effect’

Australia’s inflation rate remains unchanged for the third consecutive month, fuelling hopes the RBA would fi...

27 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

Concerns over rate hikes dampen consumer confidence

Sentiment among Australian consumers declined following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) less-than-reass...

26 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

Home Loan Fees and Costs Explained

It's easy to be absorbed in the excitement of finally having the funds to purchase your home that you might overlook the fac...

25 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

Few movements in home loan rates following RBA hold

The local mortgage market’s subdued sentiment towards RBA’s cash rate hold was evident in this week’s scant movements on home loan rates.

22 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

More Australians returning to work eases jobless rate to 3.7%

ABS February jobs data revealed the unemployment rate slowed slightly after breaching the 4% threshold as more Aussies returned to work.

21 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

Which Australian cities have the most expensive land prices per square metre?

Australian homeowners now own less land relative to the price per square metre, with land values in major cities ri...

21 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

RBA leaves cash rate unchanged as expected

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) wrapped up its two-day policy meeting by keeping the cash rate at 4.35% until May.

19 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

New term deposit top rate hits the market ahead of RBA meeting

A term deposit surprise hit the market this week, as Credit Union SA set a new top rate while other banks lowered t...

15 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

Perth, Adelaide lead price rises in the cheaper end of the home market

Affordable home owners are getting more value for their money compared to those who own luxury properties, according to latest findings.

14 Mar 2024
Bernadette Lunas

‘Tay-flation’ no match to inflation: Australian households tighten the purse strings

Aussies’ willingness to open their wallets for Taylor Swift concert tickets was not enough to lift household ...

13 Mar 2024